No further league action for Bertuzzi

DETROIT – The Red Wings have been told that Todd Bertuzzi will not face additional disciplinary action from the NHL for a first-period hit that earned the veteran power forward a game-misconduct, his first ejection in more than seven years.

Bertuzzi earned a five-minute major penalty for elbowing and a game-misconduct when he hit Blackhawks center Ryan Johnson in the head during the Red Wings’ 3-2 overtime loss Monday.

It has been reported that Bertuzzi apologized to Johnson during the first intermission.

Johnson later told the media inside the Blackhawks’ locker room, “I know it wasn't anything malicious, and he was very apologetic. … He came in here and said, ‘sorry.’”

Following the hit, it appeared that Bertuzzi apologized to Johnson, who remained down on the ice for a short period. Johnson needed stitches to close a cut to his ear, but he passed a concussion test and returned to the game.

Asked after Monday’s game whether he thought the league would levy supplement discipline against the Bertuzzi, Wings coach Mike Babcock wasn’t sure.

“Oh I don’t have any idea,” he said. “I didn’t think it was severe at all. Johnson played the whole game, and didn’t look like much, like he missed any action.”